Many studies have focused on the influence of peers on delinquency and drug use. But what about adolescents who are not part of the peer culture--the loners, or nerds? This study focuses on drug use, delinquency and lifestyle correlates of LONERS and SOCIALS. Data for a nine-year period (1976 through 1984) from the Monitoring the Future data set of high school seniors across the United States are analyzed. The lack of peer influence on the LONERS seems to contribute to less delinquency and drug use and more conventional lifestyle activities than is found among SOCIALS.

A study of the correlates of drug use (marijuana, LSD, mescaline, speed) among high school youth in a rural, Midwestern community indicated that peer group factors were the most influential in such behavior. Also, youth from less intact families and whose parents were perceived to use various legal drugs were more prone to drug use. Drug education was seen as not having as significant an impact in differentiating between users and nonusers nor in deterring users from further involvement. In support of previous research, we conclude that drug use is a form of behavior learned through peer and family socialization.

the last month). The proportion o f students reporting homosexual experiences did not differ significantly according to student's race, religion, or region of residencc. The students currently engaged in homosexual activities were more likely than werc other students to approve of extramarital sex, "wife swapping," and group sexual activities. although the majority of students in both groups disapproved of these practices. Small, but significant. positive relationships werc found between frequency of homosexual activity and frequency of involvement in rape. prostitution, pregnancy, and living with an individual of the opposite sex outside of marriage. The students with homosexual experiences did not have fewer heterosexual contacts and did not report significantly morc guilt and anxiety about their sexual behavior than did the students without homosexual experiences. -~ Dt,parrmmt tf Psychology, Univcnity of South Carolina.

No abstract

No abstract